Contents tagged with Germany
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Germany to classify future military aid to Ukraine
In a strategic pivot, Chancellor Friedrich Merz's German administration has decided to keep future military aid shipments to Ukraine classified, a move aimed at achieving "strategic ambiguity", reports Spiegel, citing sources within the Merz government.
According to these insider accounts, over the last three intense years of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Germany had openly disclosed the packages of military aid sent to bolster Ukraine’s Defense Forces. However, this transparency appears to be …
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German Chancellor Merz pushes for ceasefire in landmark visit to Kyiv, warns Russia of consequences
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Kyiv for the first time today. He emphasized that the West, including the U.S., is prepared to respond strongly to any anti-peace decisions by the Kremlin, stating, "The ball is now in the court of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin."
Merz elaborated, "Should there be a refusal, significant strengthening of sanctions and extensive support for Ukraine — political, financial, and military — will follow."
This stance is reportedly supported by U.S. President …
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Covert gathering in Baku: German and Russian politicians discuss reviving the 'Petersburg Dialogue'
Russian and German political officials reportedly met in Baku for a covert meeting assumed to focus on the future of the "Petersburg Dialogue." This forum, an intricate symbol of bilateral relations, became defunct following the eruption of hostilities between Russia and Ukraine. The gathering captured attention on Wednesday, May 8, when German public broadcaster ARD and Die Zeit highlighted the proceedings.
Representing Germany were prominent figures like Ralf Stegner, a seasoned foreign …
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Bild: Kremlin crafts strategy to influence Merz
Russia is reportedly developing a strategy to influence Germany's future chancellor, Friedrich Merz, aiming to steer him towards a more pro-Russian stance. As reported by Bild, the Kremlin plans to remind Merz of his pro-U.S. inclinations, questioning whether he truly wants to position himself between America and Russia.
A unique aspect of this strategy may involve Merz's American connections. Moscow believes a Republican administration could exert pressure on Germany through Merz’s long- …
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Germany pledges over €11 billion for Ukraine's defense
Ukraine's Armed Forces are set to receive state-of-the-art electronic warfare systems aimed at neutralizing Russian missiles and drones. At the forefront of this coalition's efforts is Germany, joined by nine other countries.
The decision emerged from the 27th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, held in the “Ramstein” format on April 11, as announced by the German Ministry of Defense.
This new electronic warfare coalition builds on top of eight existing military coalitions. Germany …
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Former Ukrainian Armed Forces Chief reveals US-Ukraine joint operations hub in Germany
Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, former commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU), has confirmed the existence of a joint US-Ukrainian operations hub in Wiesbaden, Germany, which was crucial in planning military operations for Kyiv.
“Last week, much was said about Wiesbaden. This hub was indeed our secret weapon with partners, aiding in the planning of operations and identifying the requirements for their execution. I’ll give you a peek behind the curtain on how it was established," Zaluzhnyi …
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Potential Trump-Putin deal on Nord Stream 2 raises concerns in Berlin
Reports are surfacing of behind-the-scenes negotiations between the Americans and Russians discussing the potential reactivation of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline as part of a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed this development, hinting at an opportunity for American investors to acquire and utilize Nord Stream 2 to send Russian gas, previously purchased, back into Europe.
“A good development, not a bad one,” said one acquaintance, suggesting that …
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German authorities seize tanker tied to Russian 'Shadow Fleet'
German customs have seized the Panamanian-flagged tanker, Eventin, currently anchoring near the island of Rügen, according to Der Spiegel. The tanker carries approximately 100,000 tons of crude oil valued at €40 million. European authorities have identified the vessel as part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” allegedly used to circumvent Western sanctions. As per the publication, the confiscation of the tanker and its valuable cargo took place on March 14. The vessel’s flag was subsequently …
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Germany pledges €11 billion in additional military aid to Ukraine
On Wednesday, March 19, Germany's Finance Ministry informed the Bundestag's budget committee of its decision to allocate €11 billion in additional military aid to Ukraine. This information comes from a letter sent by State Secretary Sarah Ryglewski.
According to the document, Germany's Finance Minister, Jörg Kukies, plans to approve an extraordinary expenditure of €2.547 billion for the current year. Alongside other financial resources, the available funds will total €3 billion.
Moreover, …
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Germany extradites former Ukrainian tax official accused of corruption and fraud
Germany has extradited a high-ranking tax official back to Ukraine, wanted for his alleged involvement in corruption schemes. The official fled Ukraine at least two years ago. As announced by the Ukrainian Office of the Prosecutor General on Wednesday, March 5, Germany has handed over the suspect, a former deputy head of the tax administration in the Poltava region, accused of aiding in abuse of office and forgery of official documents. The official had been on the wanted list for over two …